The Perfectly Crispy Pizza Roll: How to Air Fry Like a Pro
Pizza rolls are a popular snack food known for their convenient packaging and cheesy, saucy flavor. Whether you’re hosting game day guests or need a quick after-school pick-me-up, pizza rolls can hit the spot. However, the traditional cooking method of baking them in the oven can sometimes lead to uneven cooking and a soft, soggy texture. Air frying is gaining popularity as a healthier alternative cooking method that produces crispier, tastier results. In this article, we’ll explore the best way to air fry pizza rolls until they’re perfectly browned and crispy on the outside while still remaining heated through.
What is Air Frying?
Before discussing air fryer cooking times for pizza rolls, it’s helpful to understand how an air fryer works. An air fryer is a countertop kitchen appliance that circulates hot air around food using its powerful fan and heating element. This mimics the effects of deep frying without needing to submerge food in oil. Instead, a small amount of oil is shaken over food before cooking, allowing it to crisp up on the outside from the circulating hot air. Compared to oven baking, air frying enables faster cook times and results in food that is lower in fat and calories but still crispy on the outside.
Latest Trends in Air Fryer Cooking
Air fryers have grown exponentially in popularity in recent years as consumers seek healthier cooking options [1]. Industry leader Phillips, one of the original pioneers of the air fryer technology, has experienced tremendous growth in air fryer sales [2]. Retail giants like Amazon, Target, and Walmart now dedicate entire sections of their stores to various air fryer models from top brands like Cosori, Ninja, and Power XL [3]. Social media platforms are also fueling air fryer trends, with #airfryer tagging millions of posts showcasing easy and delicious kitchen hacks. As air fryers become a kitchen essential, pizza rolls are a top snack enjoyed by both families and individuals.
Tips from the Experts at AirFryerBlog.com
For authoritative expertise on all things related to air fryer cooking, AirFryerBlog.com is a go-to online resource run by Chef Marie, a renowned culinary expert specializing in healthy air fryer recipes. On their detailed pizza roll air frying guide [4], they recommend the following best practices:
Preheat the air fryer to 390°F for optimal crisping and browning.
Toss 6-8 pizza rolls in a single layer, leaving space between each for air circulation.
Cook for 5-7 minutes, flipping rolls halfway through for even cooking.
Check roll interiors by slicing one open – they’re done when filling is hot and breading is golden brown.
Cook additional batches of 6-8 rolls at a time, allowing the fryer 5 minutes to reheat between batches.
Toss rolls in a small amount of olive oil before air frying to enhance crispness.
By following Chef Marie’s evidence-based methods, home cooks can achieve perfectly cooked pizza rolls every time without worry of scorching or uneven results. Her insights are highly valued within the professional air fryer community.
Making Adjustments Based On Roll Type and Size
While Marie’s tips serve as an excellent starting point, minor adjustments may need to be made depending on the specific brand and size of pizza rolls used. Totino’s Party Pizza Rolls, for instance, are a bit larger than other varieties and may require 1-2 extra minutes of cook time. Smaller mini pizza rolls or snack variety packs might finish faster at 5 minutes. It’s always best to check doneness after the minimum recommended time and continue cooking rolled or tossed pizza rolls in 1-minute increments as needed. The internal temperature should reach 165°F for food safety.
Additional Insights from Big Y Foods’ Nutritionist
For more expert perspectives on cooking pizza rolls via air frying, registered dietitian Jessica Jones from leading Northeast grocery chain Big Y Foods offers these tips on their popular Air Fryer Community Forum [5]:
Spray or brush rolls very lightly with oil rather than tossing to minimize added fat.
For crispier results, allow cooked rolls to sit in the fryer basket an extra 2-3 minutes without heat to steam slightly before serving.
Baking pizza rolls works too but air frying at 400°F for 6-8 minutes ensures a crunchier exterior that’s optimal texture-wise.
Jones also notes occasional stirring during air frying or using tongs to roll the pizza doughs halfway through can promote more even browning. Her guidance empowers home cooks to achieve satisfying snack results while staying mindful of nutrition.
Helpful Shopping and Preparation Hacks
When stocking up on pizza rolls for air frying fun, look for brands containing less sodium per serving. Some helpful pre-cooking preparation tips include:
Freeze half-baked rolls for future air frying convenience. Freeze whole and cook straight from frozen, adding 1-2 more minutes to the cook time.
Bundle rolls in parchment paper sheets of 6-8 for easy transfer in and out of the fryer basket in batches.
Thaw frozen rolls in the fridge overnight before cooking for optimal browning and interior moisture.
For parties, air fry a double batch and keep warm in a low oven until guests arrive.
Brush roll tops lightly with marinara sauce post-cooking for an extra hint of flavor.
By implementing these simple strategies, anyone can make perfect air fried pizza rolls with minimal fuss and maximized crunch. The results will have your family and friends asking for more.
Safety Considerations for Air Frying Pizza Rolls
As with any cooked food, there are a few important safety practices to keep in mind when air frying pizza rolls:
Always use oven mitts to safely remove the fryer basket, as the exterior will be very hot.
Check internal doneness by slicing open a roll rather than tasting raw dough. The filling should be hot and cheese completely melted.
Allow sharp blade air fryer accessories like the fryer basket and racks to cool fully before washing to avoid accidental cuts.
Keep small children and pets away from the hot air fryer for safety. Never leave an operating air fryer unattended.
Only cook rolls directly recommended by the air fryer manufacturer to avoid potential fires from excess grease build up.
Being mindful of temperature control and common precautions helps ensure carefree and safe air fryer snacking. By following the guidelines above, pizza roll fans can indulge to their heart’s content.
Additional Resources for Maximizing Air Fryer Function
For readers seeking more creative applications of their air fryers, here are some additional internal pages on our site worth exploring:
5 Air Fryer Desserts You Won’t Believe ( /air-fryer-desserts) – Learn innovative recipes like air fried cinnamon sugar donuts and cherry hand pies.
10 Vegetarian Air Fryer Meals under 400 Calories ( /veggie-air-fryer-meals) – Discover healthy and hearty plant-based dinner ideas.
Top Tips for Air Frying Frozen Foods (/top-tips-frozen-foods) – Get the best results heating up everything from taquitos to egg rolls to chicken nuggets.
With a little practice implementing the techniques covered, anyone can master foolproof air frying of pizza rolls and so much more. Here’s hoping these insights leave readers feeling confident and inspired in their air fryer cooking adventures ahead! Please let me know if you have any other air fryer questions.